The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has revealed that just 7% of the almost 500 000 educators and support personnel have been cleared against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). That means 93% of adults working in schools with children have not yet been cleared against the register.
According to the Minister’s written reply, as of 30 April 2025, provincial education departments have received just over 35,800 NRSO certificates from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, out of roughly 84,000 applications submitted.
This is alarmingly low, and BOSA remains deeply concerned by the significant delays and the challenges highlighted by provincial authorities. The limited capacity within the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the
South African Police Service appears to be a critical bottleneck in ensuring timely clearance for those working closely with our children.
In terms of the law currently, Section 45 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences andRelated Matters) Amendment Act requires employers to screen employees against the NRSO if they are in positions where they work with, supervise, care for, or gain access to a child or disabled person.
BOSA reiterates its commitment to championing safe learning environments and calls on all stakeholders – the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Department of Justice, and the SAPS included – to work collaboratively to close this gap as a matter of priority.
We further call on the DBE to transparently report on progress and measures taken to resolve these delays so that the public can be assured that urgent action is being taken.Parents have the right to know whether the person teaching their child is a predator. This is as much about compliance as it is about the safety and dignity of every child in our country.
BOSA remains resolute in its fight to safeguard learners and uphold the higheststandards of accountability in government.
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